Maxwell Street

Maxwell Street Soundex Code M240

1330 S. from 500 W. to 1126 W.

Named for Dr. Philip Maxwell, known locally as the "Falstaff of his profession." Dr. Maxwell was a physician who came to Chicago around 1832. He was a loud, boisterous joker who, when running for the Illinois State Legislature argued that he should be elected because his arguments carried weight. (He weighed 280 lbs.)

Dr. Maxwell was an Illinois State Representative from 1849 to 1853 despite, or perhaps because of the fact, that he always enjoyed a joke at anyone's expense. He told a visitor to Chicago one winter that he bathed daily in Lake Michigan, "as long as my weight will break the ice."

16th Legislature, 1849-1851, 54th District

17th Legislature, 1851-1853, 54th District